It's been a while since a Whitwell High School football player got the opportunity to sign a college scholarship, but the string will be broken today. Whitwell quarterback Tyler Tate has accepted a scholarship offer from Cumberland University.
"It's a full ride," Whitwell coach R.C. Helton said of the offer from the NAIA school in Lebanon, Tenn. "They're getting a kid that's a leader. He's very talented -- one of the kids that can adept as a play unfolds. When things go wrong he can scramble."
In 11 games this past season, the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder ran for 643 yards (6.6 per carry) and 12 touchdowns with a long gain of 75 yards.
Though the Tigers rarely threw the ball, Tate completed 36 of 66 passes for 420 yards and four TDs with one interception.
He is expected to compete for a starting job in the Bulldogs' spread-option offense.
"He can throw excellent passes while jumping in the air, and he can throw cross-body. He's a dual-threat quarterback," Helton said. "He's a humble, good-natured kid that will fit in well."
Tate, who also was being pursued by Sewanee, pitches and plays third base for Whitwell's baseball team.
Arkansas Baptist grabs four Panthers
Four players from Brainerd are headed to Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock to play football.
The four are receiver/defensive back Ryheem Finley, offensive lineman/linebacker Brian Montgomery, running back/linebacker Kevin Albert and two-way lineman Alex Hurd.
Also, running back/defensive back/athlete Marcus McMillan has committed to Lane College in Jackson, Tenn.
Athlete Kaylen Stewart, who could wind up at receiver or defensive back, already had committed to Tennessee Tech.
Henry to CNU
Chattanooga Christian multisport standout Hannah Henry will sign scholarship papers Wednesday morning to play soccer for NCAA Division II school Carson-Newman.
A four-year starter and two-time all-state selection for the Lady Chargers, Henry led them this past season with 22 goals and five assists. She also was a member of CCS's 2013 state championship tennis team and twice was named to all-district basketball teams. She was a finalist for the 2014 Best of Preps Female Athlete of the Year.
Baylor tops final poll
Baylor wound up No. 1 in the final Tennessee wrestling coaches' poll. The Red Raiders won the Division II state duals championship Saturday with a two-point victory over Father Ryan, which finished No. 2 in the poll.
Class AAA champion Cleveland, after winning its third straight duals championship, was third, a notch ahead of Wilson Central, the team it beat for the AAA title. Class AAA third-place finisher Bradley Central was fifth.
McCallie and Montgomery Bell Academy, the DII duals third- and fourth-place finishers, were sixth and seventh in the overall poll. Beech, which finished fourth in the AAA duals, was eighth and Class A/AA winner Pigeon Forge was ninth.
Soddy-Daisy was 10th. Hixson was among the other teams receiving votes.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.